Austin Wiley and Danjel Purifoy's status remains in a holding pattern as the basketball team awaits resolution on their eligibility.

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said Tuesday, a day before his team hosts Gardner-Webb at Auburn Arena, that there is no update on Wiley and Purifoy, who remain sidelined indefinitely amid concerns about their eligibility stemming from the FBI investigation involving former associate head coach Chuck Person.

"Just staying as patient as we can, staying hopeful," Pearl said. "I'm keeping hope that one of you guys will call me and say, 'hey, I got some good news.'"

Person is alleged to have given $11,000 to Purifoy's mother, Waukesha Evans, and another $7,500 to Wiley's mother, Auburn legend Vickie Orr-Wiley. Person's co-defendant, Rashan Michel claimed to give another $5,000 to Orr-Wiley as part of the plot.

"I think that the longer we go, the more you think it will be coming to some conclusions and the investigation will be winding down," Pearl said. "So, we're hopeful. We're just really, really hopeful. I really feel bad for the kids. I can't -- that's not just speak, that's the truth. It breaks my heart to not see those guys out there, but it's a process we have to go through."

Auburn is 6-1 on the season without Wiley and Purifoy, and the Tigers host Gardner-Webb at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Auburn Arena.

While the two players have not been cleared to play this season, both have practiced with the team. On Tuesday, Purifoy was excused early from practice to focus on academics, according to Pearl. Auburn has final exams next week.

Pearl said last week that both Wiley and Purifoy have been handling the situation well by "staying right" and "staying ready." Shortly thereafter, Purifoy sent out tweets from his personal account expressing frustration with the pace of the investigation and saying that he's "starting to feel mistreated."

Pearl said he has spoked to Purifoy about the tweets.

"We talk a little bit about it," Pearl said. "He's just in a tough spot. We prefer him not to (tweet)."

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.